Bohol cop tagged in multi-vehicle mishap

TAGBILARAN CITY – Authorities are set to file criminal charges against a policeman who plowed through pedestrians and hit other vehicles in this city, killing two persons and injuring at least four others Sunday night.

The suspect, 31-year-old Patrolman Ruben Digawan Ayuban, a resident of Sierra Bullones town, is detained at the Tagbilaran City police station and is facing charges of reckless imprudence resulting in double homicide, physical injuries and damage to properties.

Col. Osmundo Salibo, provincial director of the Bohol Police Provincial Office (BPPO), said Ayuban was assigned at Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB)-7 in Catagbacan Norte in Loon town, Bohol.

Salibo said the mishap occurred on Sunday Dec. 12 at 7:21 p.m. along CPG North Avenue near Caltex Gas Station, and CPG North Avenue near UNITOP General Merchandise, Tagbilaran City.

Salibo said the suspect was arrested by the responding SWAT (special weapons and tactics) members of Tagbilaran City Police Station (TCPS).

Based on the results of initial investigation conducted by the Traffic Section of of the Tagbilaran City Police Station, the suspect was recklessly driving his vehicle, a Hyudai EON with plate number AAZ 7153. 

He hit two women, who were identified as Lisa Orias Jimenez  and Aileen Felisilda Apatan both from Sitio Licong in Barangay Virgen, Anda town, Bohol.  They were pronounced dead on arrival by their attending physician.

Ayuban then collided with a motorcycle of which the victims were identified as Ella Jean Ongyot Gamban, 23, a resident of Barangay Lourdes, Cortes town and Edwin Lopena Alcoran, 25, aresident of Barangay Tinago, Dauis town.

The suspect sped up his vehicle until he hit a tricycle on CPG North Avenue near Unitop General Merchandise driven by Aristedez Pregurta Taghap, 52, a resident of Barangay Cogon, Tagbilaran City and his passenger who was identified as Anthony Gabriel Monterola Villafuerte, 17, a resident of Peñaflor St in Barangay Booy, Tagbilaran City. 

The victims were all brought by  emergency response  personnel from Tarsier 117 to Governor Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital for medical treatment.

Ayuban has been detained at the custodial facility of Tagbilaran City Police Station.

Salibo said there are no findings whether Ayuban  was under the influence of liquor at the time of the mishap.

CASES PREPARED

In a statement, chief of police of Tagbilaran City Police Station Col. Mary Crystal Peralta said they are preparing the cases to be filed against the suspect for Reckless Imprudence Resulting in Double Homicide, Multiple Physical Injuries and Damage to Properties.

Salibo extended his sincerest sympathy to the victims and assures that justice will be served.

"I am assuring the immediate relatives, the victims that I will never condone. If nagkamali siya at may basehan to file another cases gagawin po namin yun," said Salibo.

He instructed Peralta to assist all the victims in the filing of appropriate charges at the soonest possible time against the suspect. Salibo also assures the public that Ayuban will face the consequences of his acts both in criminal and administrative cases.  -- BAP, GMA News